While the Longhorn was inspired by the Danelectro Guitarlin, the distinctive body shape dates all the way back to the invention of the Lyre around 2500 B.C. By the mid-1800s, guitars with Lyre arms began to appear.[1] Part of what makes these different from most guitars is that they have 31 frets, as opposed to the typical 20-24.
Part of the Professional Series, the Longhorn was made in Japan by Matsumoku. Early models had the Hondo II Script logo and "Professional Series" on the truss rod cover. In the first few months of 1981, they began switching to the new Sunrise logo and a gold-plated truss rod cover. They were produced only from late 1980 through 1981, although they were sold until 1983.
HP-1081[]
1980 HP-1081 (as seen in 1983 catalog)
- 1980-1981
- $469.95 MSRP (1983)
Body:
- Solid Ash body
Neck:
- Bolt-on 3-pc Maple neck
- Rosewood fretboard with dot inlays
- Deluxe headstock
- Silk-screened Script logo
- Silk-screened Sunrise logo (1981)
- 31 frets
- 25.25" scale
Electronics:
- One MMK-45 humbucker
- Coil tap mini-switch
- Phase In/Out mini-switch
- Battery-powered 3db boost mini-switch
- 1 Vol, 1 Tone
Hardware:
- Chrome hardware
- Brass nut
- Schaller-style tuners
- Headstock-matching truss rod cover
- Gold speed knobs
- Brass vintage-style bridge
Finishes:
- Walnut (WA)
- Metallic Bronze (BZ)
- Cream Sunburst (CS)
HP-1082[]
Double-neck version of HP-1081.
1980 H-1181 (as seen in 1983 catalog)
H-1084[]
H-1181[]
- 1980 - 1981 / 1983
- $489.95 MSRP (1983)
Body:
- Solid Ash body
Neck:
- Bolt-on 3-pc Maple neck
- Rosewood fretboard with dot inlays
- Deluxe headstock
- Silk-screened Script logo
- Silk-screened Sunrise logo (1981)
- 24 frets
- 34" scale
Electronics:
- One DiMarzio Model P bass pickup
- Phase In/Out mini-switch
- 1 Vol, 1 Tone
Hardware:
- Chrome hardware
- Brass nut
1981 H-1181 CS
- Headstock-matching truss rod cover
- Gold speed knobs
- Brass vintage-style bridge
Finishes:
- Walnut (WA)
- Metallic Bronze (BZ)
- Cream Sunburst (CS)
H-1182[]
Double-neck, 4 & 8 string bass model.
- $1,275.95 MSRP (1983)
Finishes:
- Metallic Bronze (BZ)
- Cream Sunburst (CS)